Overview
Handicap betting, also known as the "spread," is a way to balance the odds in a match by giving one team or player a virtual advantage or disadvantage. This type of market is designed to make betting more competitive by compensating for differences in skill or form between competitors.
Types of Handicap Betting
1. Handicap Match Betting
This market applies a virtual deficit to one team and a boost to the other. Your bet is settled based on the final score after the handicap is applied.
Additionally, the "Handicap Tie" option allows bettors to predict that the favored team will win by exactly the specified margin.
Example:
Arsenal vs. Chelsea final score: 3-2
Arsenal (-1) @ 2/1 → Wins (3-1)
Handicap Tie (-1) @ 9/4 → Loses (not an exact one-goal margin)
Chelsea (+1) @ Evens → Loses (2+1=3, still less than Arsenal’s score)
Note: The handicap is only applied to your chosen selection.
2. Asian Handicap Betting
This variation eliminates the possibility of a draw by using smaller increments, such as half or quarter goals.
Rules:
Odds are displayed in decimals.
Bets are singles only.
Whole number handicaps (e.g., -1, -2) allow for a draw, which results in a refund.
Half-goal handicaps (e.g., -0.5, -1.5) remove the draw option.
Example:
Real Madrid (-1.5) vs. Barcelona (+1.5)
If Real Madrid wins by 2+ goals, the bet wins.
If Real Madrid wins by 1, draws, or loses, the bet on Barcelona wins.
Split Handicaps:
Some bets split across two handicap values.
Example:
Bayern Munich (-1, -1.5) vs. Dortmund (+1, +1.5)
Win by 2+ goals → Bayern wins both markets.
Win by 1 goal → Bayern loses -1.5 market but draws the -1 market (half the stake refunded).
Draw or lose → Dortmund wins.
3. No Draw Handicap Betting
This format ensures there is no tie by applying a half-point difference.
Example:
Leeds (+7.5) vs. Newcastle (-7.5) in Rugby League
If Leeds' final adjusted score is greater than Newcastle’s, Leeds wins.
If a draw occurs in this market, all bets are voided.
4. Handicap League Betting
This is a season-long bet where each team starts with a handicap. The best teams start at "0" (scratch), while weaker teams receive a head start.
At the end of the season, the handicap is applied to all teams, and the team with the highest total points is the winner.
Example:
Handicap League Betting Table:
Manchester City (0 points)
Tottenham (+5 points)
Aston Villa (+10 points)
Crystal Palace (+15 points)
If Crystal Palace earns 60 points and Manchester City earns 72 points, applying the handicap:
Palace: 60 + 15 = 75
City: 72 + 0 = 72
Crystal Palace wins the market.
If multiple teams tie, Dead Heat rules apply.
Key Takeaways
Handicap betting balances the odds by giving one team an advantage or disadvantage.
Asian Handicaps remove the draw option with smaller increments.
No Draw Handicaps ensure a winner with a half-point margin.
Handicap League Betting applies over a full season with all teams receiving adjusted points.